MLBTR Originals

A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR the last seven days:

MLBTR caught up with Blue Jays pitcher Marco Estrada in the Blue Jays’ Spring Training clubhouse. In a one-on-one chat, Estrada opened up about his offseason negotiations with Toronto, which culminated with a two-year deal. “We tried to get a third or fourth year. I don’t think it was ever going to be close on their part. Obviously, I tried. I wanted less money for more years, but they didn’t want to do it. It’s fine. I like the deal I got now. I guess the AAV went up and it was only two years but, it’s good, you know, I can’t complain,” Estrada said.

In Clearwater, Florida, Phillies pitcher Jeremy Hellicksonspoke about the November trade that brought him to Philly. Within the chat with MLBTR, Hellickson confessed that it’s a little awkward being one of the rotation’s “veterans” at 28 years of age. “It is a little bit weird being one of the veteran guys on this rotation,” said Hellickson. “It was kind of the same situation alst year [in Arizona] but the game is getting younger. There are guys getting called up at 21 or 22 years old. I don’t feel old at 28, but 28 is kind of old in this game right now.”